Abdullah Earns Big Ten Player-of-the-Week Honors

Nebraska junior I-back Ameer Abdullah has been named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his effort in the Huskers’ 39-19 victory over Illinois in the Big Ten Conference opener.

Abdullah rushed 20 times for a career-high 225 yards in the victory, including a pair of touchdown runs. Abdullah’s day included a highlight-reel 43-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, and he had two other runs that covered at least 30 yards. Abdullah also caught a pass for 15 yards, giving him 240 all-purpose yards on the day. The performance marked his fourth 100-yard rushing effort of the season.

The performance by Abdullah paced a strong Nebraska offensive attack that rolled up better than 520 yards of total offense, including 335 rushing yards. Nebraska ranks second in the Big Ten and ninth nationally in rushing offense, averaging 291.6 yards per game. On the individual side, Abdullah ranks second in the Big Ten and eighth nationally in rushing yards per game at 138.0 yards per contest.

Abdullah needs 23 rushing yards this week to become the 29th player in school history with 2,000 career rushing yards.

The Big Ten honor marks the fourth of Abdullah’s career, but his first Offensive Player-of-the-Week award. Abdullah was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week for his 2011 effort against Fresno State, and was the Special Teams honoree in 2012 after his performance against Idaho State.